A method for evaluating a biological effect of far infrared (FIR) includes the following. An FIR radiation source is provided to emit FIR. An FIR biological effect index (FBI) of the FIR is measured. A ratio of a blood glucose level change of an experimental group irradiated with the FIR to a blood glucose level change of a control group not irradiated with FIR is defined as the FBI. When the FBI is greater than 1, it is evaluated that the FIR causes a biological effect on an organism.

The present invention relates to a fixation and body temperature maintaining apparatus for fixing a small animal in order to generate a high-resolution micro image of a predetermined tissue of the small animal within a biomicroscope with an object lens, which includes: a plate heater with a heat wire installed therein, on which the small animal is enabled to be directly placed; a glass heater holder fixed to a hole of the plate heater; and a glass heater fixed to the glass heater holder, and located above the tissue of the small animal and maintaining flatness of the tissue, and increasing a temperature of the tissue itself, in which a cover glass serving to adjust a refractive index of the object lens and a heat wire heater are integrally formed. In an embodiment of the present invention, a body temperature of a live small animal which is an object to be observed with a biomicroscope is maintained to be constant.

Systems and methods for measuring short wave infrared fluorescence and autofluorescent signals are disclosed. In some embodiments, for example, a method may include exposing a portion of tissue that does not include a fluorescent probe to an excitation source of the tissue, wherein at least a portion of the tissue has an autofluorescence spectrum which includes wavelengths greater than 900 nm, and imaging the tissue with a detector that is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths greater than or equal to 900 nm. In certain other embodiments, a system comprises a fluorescent probe including a fluorescent component attached to a carrier, an excitation source, and a detector that detects a tail portion of the fluorescence of the fluorescent component. Methods associated with such a system are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a method for customized monitoring of sounds caused by respiratory distress in a group of farm animals in a specific farm, stable, or section of a stable, a non-transitory processor readable medium having stored thereon processor executable instructions configured to cause a processor to perform the method according to the invention, a computing device to carry out the method according to the invention, and a kit of parts for carrying out each of the inventive method comprising such a computing device and at least one microphone.

An animal emission monitoring device for positioning on cattle, the animal emission monitoring device comprising a snout member comprising a sensor unit for detecting the quantity of methane emissions and a positioning means for positioning the device on the head of an animal such that the snout member locates the sensor unit over the nostril of the animal.

The evaluation system for evaluating a status of rumen fermentation in a ruminant includes an evaluation device that has an estimation unit for estimating a status of rumen fermentation in a ruminant based on a milk production record which indicates a milk yield and a milk component of milk produced by the ruminant. According to the evaluation system, it is possible to easily evaluate the status of rumen fermentation in the ruminant.

Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat. Specific devices (e.g., tubular guides, guidewires, balloon catheters, tubular sheaths) are provided as are methods for manufacturing and using such devices to treat disorders of the ear, nose or throat.

Disclosed is a method for producing a horseshoe, wherein the following steps are carried out: a) at least partially viewing the hoof (16) to be shod in order to determine the required measurements for producing a shoe that fits the hoof, b) processing the measurements in order to deduce a provisional shape of the horseshoe, c) recording definitive parameters of the horseshoe, and d) producing the horseshoe on the basis of the definitive parameters. Before step b), the potential existence of at least one area of inflammation and/or at least one area of reduced blood circulation of the foot of the horse, of which the hoof is to receive the shoe, is determined by an infrared detector (17), and in step b), the existence of at least one such area is taken into account in order to determine the provisional shape and/or the structure of the horseshoe.

The invention relates to a system for acquiring the vital status of animals, which comprises at least one first device for acquiring vital functions, and at least one signal transmission means, wherein the first device has at least two first and/or second sensors arranged at a distance from each other. The components of the system for acquiring the vital status of animals can be detachably connected with each other by connectors.

The invention further relates to a method for determining the vital status of animals, wherein the vital functions are acquired by a first device with at least two first and/or second sensors arranged at a distance from each other, wherein the acquired data are transmitted by at least one signal transmission means to a data processing device, and there processed and evaluated, and from the data processing device to an external output device, which outputs the vital status of animals.

An integrated microtomography and optical imaging system includes a rotating table that supports an imaging object, an optical stage, and separate optical and microtomography imaging systems. The table rotates the imaging object about a vertical axis running therethrough to a plurality of different rotational positions during a combined microtomography and optical imaging process. The optical stage can be a trans-illumination, epi-illumination or bioluminescent stage. The optical imaging system includes a camera positioned vertically above the imaging object. The microtomography system includes an x-ray source positioned horizontally with respect to the imaging object. Optical and x-ray images are both obtained while the imaging object remains in place on the rotating table. The stage and table are included within an imaging chamber, and all components are included within a portable cabinet. Multiple imaging objects can be imaged simultaneously, and side mirrors can provide side views of the object to the overhead camera.